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Speedy Sayles selected by Tribe at No. 411

Speedy Sayles selected by Tribe at No. 411

By Mark Emery
/
MLB.com |

The Tribe nabbed a national record holder in the 14th round of the First-Year Player Draft. With the 411th overall pick, Cleveland selected Silento Sayles, a base thief who stole a record 103 bags during his senior season at Port Gibson (Miss.) High School.

Sayles, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound outfielder, was caught stealing just once. His 103 stolen bases are an all-time national record, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. He averaged 3.5 steals per game and grabbed as many as 12 in a single contest. He also stole home six times, according to reports.

"Sayles is the one that's pretty exciting, just with that upside with that speed, with the run tool, the stolen bases," said Brad Grant, the Indians' director of amateur scouting. "It's pretty impressive what he's been able to do.

"Well, well above-average runner. Probably an 8 on our 2-to-8 scale. A guy who can really run, but has a feel, too, with the bat. [He can] get on base and steal bases."

The right-handed hitter and thrower played center field and shortstop for Port Gibson. In the fall he played quarterback and free safety on the football team -- and he plays basketball, too.

Before the Indians took him, Sayles signed to play baseball at Chipola (Fla.) Junior College.

Mark Emery is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.